Hutton signals go-ahead for Heathrow expansion

Heathrow: Formal decision on expansion expected before the end of the year

A Cabinet minister today gave a strong indication that the Government will give the go-ahead for plans to expand Heathrow Airport.

A formal decision on development plans for the UK's biggest airport, including a third runway, is expected by the end of the year.

But Business Secretary John Hutton said the Government would "take the difficult decisions on airport expansion" and would make flying greener rather than restricting flights.

Environmental campaigners and residents' groups are strongly opposed to expansion at Heathrow, which would boost daily flight numbers, increase noise pollution over London and involve the loss of homes.

Mr Hutton, speaking at the opening of the Farnborough Air Show, added: "British businesses, and ultimately the British people, would not forgive us if we shirked our responsibility to do what's right because we wanted an easy ride from green lobby groups."

He added: "Achieving a sustainable balance between economic, social and environmental concerns is essential to the continued success of every business in this new century. Because we understand the importance of air travel to the British economy, my pledge to you [the aviation industry] is that we will continue to show leadership and commitment in advancing the sustainable aviation agenda.

"We will help make flying greener rather than restricting people's opportunities to fly altogether.

"So we will take the difficult decisions on airport expansion to ensure the UK has the transport infrastructure to continue to attract business from across the globe."

Mr Hutton added: "The aerospace industry must remain central to the British economy - and to our future as a hi-tech manufacturing nation."

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "John Hutton has let slip what we knew all along: the consultation on a third runway at Heathrow is a sham.

"The Government decided a long time ago that it wanted a third runway and is behaving more and more like a subsidiary of [Heathrow operator] BAA. This makes a mockery of the Government's carbon reduction targets."

But David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the minister's comments, saying they would boost business. "UK plc will suffer if we do not allow Heathrow to expand," he said.